A new poll ahead of Alberta’s fall referendum finds that a majority of voters will likely vote in support of the five questions related to immigration. Conducted online by Research Co. between Aug. 24 and 26, the poll found that 66 per cent of Albertans support the provincial government introducing a law requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship to vote in a provincial election. It was also found that 65 per cent of respondents are in favour of the Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration for the purpose of decreasing it, prioritizing economic migrations and giving Albertans first priority on employment opportunities. Research Co. president Mario Canseco said all five questions on immigration saw a level of support around 60 per cent. “This is quite remarkable … unless something changes drastically, we’re going to see those pass,” Canseco told CTV News Calgary. “There is definitely a sense that the notion immigration is having a negative impact in the lives of Albertans is resonating with the public.” He added that a question on Alberta leaving confederation was only supported by 22 per cent of respondents. The only immigration-related question that hit below the 60-per cent mark asked if Albertans support new legislation mandating that only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals with Alberta-approved immigration status be eligible for provincially-funded programs like health care, education and other social services, which saw 58 per cent in support. A similar question, asking if the province should charge a fee or premium to those with non-permanent immigration status living in Alberta for their use of health care and education systems, received 60 per cent of support. “I think this is an issue where the government of Alberta has really connected well with people,” said Canseco. Sixty per cent of respondents said they are in support of the province introducing legislation that would require all people with non-permanent legal immigration status to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for any provincially funded social support programs. ‘Far too many people, far too quickly’: Smith Alberta Premier Daneille Smith said federal open border immigration policies were to blame for strains on health care, education and other social programs with Alberta’s population growing by nearly 600,000 people in the last five years. “Although sustainable immigration has always been an important part of our provincial growth model, throwing the doors wide open to anyone and everyone across the globe has flooded out classrooms, emergency rooms and social support systems with far too many people, far too quickly,” said Smith during a televised address announcing the referendum earlier this year. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that since elected, the number of asylum seekers entering Canada is down by a third and the level of temporary foreign workers has decreased by half with the number of foreign students cut down by two thirds. He blamed the previous Liberal government, headed by Justin Trudeau, for its lax immigration policies. Referendum validity Research Co. found that the validity of a referendum is associated with the number of Albertans who actually get to the polls. An overwhelming 80 per cent of respondents said a turnout of at least 70 per cent would validate the referendum, with 70 per cent believing a turnout of 30 per cent would tank it. Research Co. spoke with 750 Albertans likely to vote in the referendum. Data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error for a sample this size is +/- 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Albertans will head to the polls on Oct. 19. With files from CTV News Calgary’s Michael Franklin and The Canadian Press
